Louisville Family Law®

Joint Custody

Joint Custody Agreements in Kentucky

Louisville Family Law Attorney

When going through a
divorce involving children, it is often tremendously difficult to reach custody
agreements that work for you, your ex-partner, and your kids. When disputes
simply cannot be resolved out of court, the matter may be taken before
a judge. In Kentucky, courts generally acknowledge that it is important
for both parents to remain actively involved in their child’s life.
Accordingly, there is a strong tendency to award joint custody. In fact,
sole custody is typically only granted when it can be shown that one parent represents
a direct danger to a child’s safety. Our
Louisville family law attorneys are dedicated to assisting families through all aspects of child custody
agreements and modifications to custody.

How a Court Determines Joint Custody

“Joint custody” is a term that typically denotes two different
parental responsibilities: physical custody and legal custody. Physical
custody refers to the physical location and parent who looks after the
child. On the other hand, legal custody refers to a parent's right
to make choices about how a child is brought up, including educational
and health related matters. When deciding on the terms of a custody agreement,
a judge may look at multiple factors.

Factors a judge may consider when awarding custody can include:

A parent’s ability to provide adequate financial support for a child

The living arrangements provided by each parent

How an agreement will affect a child’s ability to see relatives

The emotional connection between parents and children

If a history of drug abuse or domestic violence exists

Additionally, when joint custody is awarded in any combination, parents
may still be required to pay child support. While every family’s
situation is considered on an individual basis, a judge may consider factors
such as each parent’s annual income, monetary contributions, and
time spent with children. If you have questions about pursuing joint custody
or how an agreement may affect child custody or visitation, our firm can
help you to find the answers you need.

Get an Effective Attorney in Your Corner

When a marriage comes to an end, it can put families under tremendous stress
and child custody is often a heavily disputed point. If you are a relative
is currently fighting for joint custody of one or more children, our legal
team wants to hear from you. Our Louisville family law attorneys understand
what you are going through and can be in your corner every step of the
way. Whether through mediation or litigation, our firm can help your family
to find the most effective path towards your goals.

Call
(502) 812-1889 today and speak to us about your family’s situation.